Meet your faculty! This page will give you a glimpse of the faculty whose responsibility is it to guide you and teach you as you move up the path toward becoming a teacher. You will, of course, get to know these talented individuals on a more professional and personal basis. We are very proud of our faculty – they bring over 250 years of teaching experience to you, a wealth of skill and knowledge, and a passion for children, learning, and education that we think stands above many other programs and universities. 

           The brief glimpse of each faculty member lists their education and experience, as well as respective areas of expertise and research interests. They are listed in alphabetical order. 

Davies Bellamy 

Dr. Davies Bellamy is an Associate Professor in the School of Education.  A native of Trinidad and Tobago, he was recruited to play soccer for the University of Evansville in 1978. He graduated from UE with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1982, and a master’s degree in community counseling in 1984. From 1984 to 1987, he served as director of residence life and co-director of minority affairs at UE.  After completing his doctoral course work in counseling psychology at Indiana State University in 1991, he returned to the University of Evansville as a member of the faculty in the counseling program. He served as director of the counseling program from 1992 to 1996. Dr. Bellamy was the recipient of the Exemplary Teacher Award from the United Methodist Church in 1999. He is currently a State co-sponsor of the Indiana Student Education Association (ISEA), and the sponsor of UE’s award-winning ISEA chapter. 

Robert Ciscell 

          Dr. Robert Ciscell is a former middle and high school teacher. He joined our faculty in 1996 following six years with the U.S. Department of Education’s Technical Assistance Center in Kansas City. He also served on the faculty of Northern Arizona University and Northern Illinois University teaching courses in middle and secondary school curriculum and instruction. He has authored more than 60 journal articles, presented at over 120 professional conferences, and is a past editor of Excellence in Teaching magazine. Professor Ciscell is a former Indiana Teacher of the Year. He has received national recognition for his contribution to the education profession from Encyclopedia Britannica, the National Council of Chief State School Officers, and the U.S. Department of Education.

 Pat Taylor-Denham

        Pat Taylor Denham is an assistant professor of education at the University of Evansville. She completed her Bachelor and Master’s degrees from the University of Evansville. Additional practicum training in reading and early childhood education was completed at Indiana University and Ohio State University. She is a Reading Recovery Trainer and Instructor receiving her certification at Purdue University. Ms. Taylor Denham began her teaching career in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation as a reading clinician specialist. During her 31 year career at EVSC, she was a reading teacher, a primary teacher, a reading coordinator supervising reading paraprofessionals, and the supervisor of reading. 

She is active in local and national literacy organizations; her honors include the Indiana State Reading Association Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Reading award, the Newspaper in Education Award, the EARC Literacy Award, the Governor’s Sagamore of the Wabash award, and the Dean’s Outstanding Teacher award. Pat is active in community reading programs and volunteers to tutor struggling readings in her free time.  

 Sharon Gieselmann

          Sharon Gieselmann is Assistant Professor of Education and our newest faculty member. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern Indiana, Master of Education degree from University of Illinois Chicago and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University.

         Gieselmann comes to the University of Evansville after being an area manager of the “Breakthrough to Literacy” program for The McGraw-Hill Companies. She has been an elementary school principal and teacher in public schools and a gifted and talented teaching instructor at Western Kentucky University.

           She has assisted schools and educators in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and West Virginia by helping them to utilize researched-based best practices for literacy education. She has also aided staff development in the Daviess County School system and tutored students at the University of Illinois, Chicago Reading/Research Clinic.

 Walter J. Lewis

           Walter Lewis, our Director of Student Teaching and an Assistant Professor, is an Evansville native, graduating from Bosse High School in Evansville in 1957. He received his BS in from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg Mississippi in 1967. While there, he received his Secondary License in US and World History. He received his MA in Secondary Education from the University of Evansville in 1971. Also from the University of Evansville, he earned a Secondary Counseling License, and a Life License in Secondary School Administration. He has 60 hours above Masters in Graduate Education Courses.

He has spent 35 years in public schools; he taught at Clay Huff Elementary in Lamar, Indiana and at Harrison High School in Evansville Indiana. He was an Assistant Principal at Central High School, a Principal at Harrison High School (named a Blue Ribbon School), and a Principal at Stanley Hall Alternative School (second alternative school in Indiana). He was named state principal of the year in 1996 and Evansville Administrator of the Year in 1992. He is a retired Lt. Col. of the Army Reserve (thirty-three years of active and reserve service) and is married with three children and two grandchildren.

 Amy McBride Martin

           Amy McBride Martin is an Assistant Professor and coordinator of the Elementary Education Junior Internship.    Prior to coming to the University of Evansville, Ms. McBride Martin taught fifth grade in Iowa for twelve years. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an English major and Secondary Education endorsement from the University of Iowa, her Master’s degree in Effective Teaching from Drake University, and her doctorate in Elementary Education and Math Education from Indiana State University.

          As the coordinator for the junior year internship program, Dr. McBride Martin is proud of her working relationship with the local and regional school systems. In fact, her involvement with the schools has extended onto a state research project that helps teacher develop strategies to meet the state standards and improve test scores. Named the 2004 Outstanding Teacher of the Year, winner of the 2002 Methodist Exemplary Teaching Award, and recipient of 1999-2000 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, Dr. McBride Martin excels in developing outstanding future educators at the University of Evansville. 

Leanne Nayden

           Leanne Nayden, Lecturer of Education, earned both her undergraduate (English with minors in Biology and Theatre) and graduate degrees from the University of Evansville; she is also certified in Gifted and Talented Education. She taught English for 33 years at Harrison High School here in Evansville; she was the English Department Head from 1987 until her retirement in 2001. While at Harrison, she also served as Speech Coach, National Honor Advisor, Drama Coach, and Student Council Advisor, as well as the chairperson for numerous accreditation and EVSC committees.

          Ms. Nayden is an award-winning Shakespearean scholar and accomplished writer; she has been a frequent workshop presenter in the fields of curriculum writing, flexible scheduling, alternative assessments, teaching to standards, and composition skills development.

Diane Triplett

        Diane Triplett, a Visiting Assistant Professor of Education, graduated from Ball State University in 1977 with a Bachelor's degree in Special Education, and then earned a Master's degree from the University of Evansville. She taught special education in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation for 21 years and has joyfully been at UE for the past three years.

          Ms. Triplett is the coordinator of the annual Jamaica Practicum experience and is actively involved in the field of multicultural education and teaching diverse populations of students. Her scholarly work in this field has resulted in numerous national presentations and she is often called upon to present her research and findings to local and regional organizations. 

Charles Watson 

Charles Watson, Professor of Education and Chairperson of the School of Education, has been involved in teaching, education, and school improvement for over 30 years. He has been a middle school math and science teacher and administrator in schools in Colorado, North Carolina, and Virginia; he teaches courses in science education and methods, school curriculum and methods, foundations of education, and assessment. His areas of expertise and research are middle level education, science education, curriculum alignment and integration, educational reform and improvement, parent involvement in schools, rural education, and school leadership. He has worked with schools and teams of teachers and administrators in the areas of middle level education and school improvement in many states, especially throughout the Appalachian area and the eastern United States. He has published numerous articles and three books in the area of middle level education, instructional practice, curriculum models, and curriculum alignment and improvement. He holds degrees in Business Administration from the University of Evansville, School Counseling from the University of Colorado, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from East Carolina University. 

Faculty Office Hours and Advising 

          Since professors teach at different times of the day and are often working in local schools, you will find that office hours vary quite a bit. However, you can always schedule an appointment with your advisor for other times. Please remember that advising is VERY important, especially since there are so many different requirements, both legal and otherwise, that must be met in order to qualify for a teaching license. In the rare case that you are unable to contact your advisor, please check in the School of Education Office and the department Chair will be happy to meet with you.